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Monday, October 31, 2011

Introduction: I realized that I need to introduce this blog a little. I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon. The working title was Daemon, and this was my 21st novel. Over the last year, I gave you the entire novel in installments that included commentary on the writing. In the commentary, in addition to other general information on writing, I explained, how the novel was constructed, the metaphors and symbols in it, the writing techniques and tricks I used, and the way I built the scenes. You can look back through this blog and read the entire novel.

I'm using this novel as an example of how I produce, market, and eventually (we hope) get a novel published. I'll keep you informed along the way. At this moment, I'm showing you the marketing material I put together for a novel.

Your publisher will eventually want your completed manuscript, plus some other information. This is what they will ask about. If they don't ask for this information, you need to have it ready and provide it.

1. The dedication. This is usually a single page at the front of the novel. Make it thoughtful--you can see examples in any modern novel.
2. The acknowledgement list. Don't over do this. I've seen whole pages dedicated to this list. I put a short list of acknowledgements on the copyright page. I include my prepub readers and those who helped with the preparation of the novel. This should be personal and specific and not general and all inclusive.
3. The artwork in your novel.
4. Lexicons (if any).

5. Endorsements (if any),

6. Title page

7. Prologue (if any)

8. About the author (bio about yourself and why you wrote the book)

9. An author photograph (at least 300 dpi and preferably at least a 4 x 6 size; we like to crop in on neck/shoulders so readers can see your face).

Sunday, October 30, 2011

Introduction: I realized that I need to introduce this blog a little. I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon. The working title was Daemon, and this was my 21st novel. Over the last year, I gave you the entire novel in installments that included commentary on the writing. In the commentary, in addition to other general information on writing, I explained, how the novel was constructed, the metaphors and symbols in it, the writing techniques and tricks I used, and the way I built the scenes. You can look back through this blog and read the entire novel.

I'm using this novel as an example of how I produce, market, and eventually (we hope) get a novel published. I'll keep you informed along the way. At this moment, I'm showing you the marketing material I put together for a novel.

Today's Blog: I'll leave this up--if you go to my writing website http://www.ldalford.com/ and select "production schedule," you will be sent to http://www.sisteroflight.com/ where there is a record and list of the steps in the publishing process. Yesterday, I listed the steps in the publication process. Assuming you have a contract, the first thing your publisher will want is the complete and final manuscript plus some specific information.

Depending on how long it takes for your publisher to get to your book, you could have gone through more than one additional edit. Sometimes it takes a while. When your publisher puts you on contract, your book goes into the production queue. I know certain characteristics affect the novels in the queue. For example, the time of year might move a novel about a holiday ahead or behind in the queue. A novel about a historical event can get bumped up or left until later based on the anniversary of the event. A previous bestselling author's novel will likely get precedence over a lesser selling author's next book. The economics of the book trade and the economy will slow the publisher moving through the production queue. So, what I'm telling you--again--is be ready to wait for a while before your publisher starts the publication process.

Saturday, October 29, 2011

Introduction: I realized that I need to introduce this blog a little. I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon. The working title was Daemon, and this was my 21st novel. Over the last year, I gave you the entire novel in installments that included commentary on the writing. In the commentary, in addition to other general information on writing, I explained, how the novel was constructed, the metaphors and symbols in it, the writing techniques and tricks I used, and the way I built the scenes. You can look back through this blog and read the entire novel.

I'm using this novel as an example of how I produce, market, and eventually (we hope) get a novel published. I'll keep you informed along the way. At this moment, I'm showing you the marketing material I put together for a novel.

Today's Blog: If you go to my writing website www.ldalford.com and select "production schedule," you will be sent to www.SisterofLight.com where there is a record and list of the steps in the publishing process. Here's what that process looks like:

Steps in the publication process:üContract

ü Proposal with novel information and synopsis sent to publisher - 3 June 2008

This novel was odd because the publisher requested a sequel and therefore knew it was coming. Generally, the publisher wants information and a synopsis in their format prior to receiving the manuscript.

ü Manuscript sent to publisher - 3 June 2008, 10 January 2009, 8 October 2009

ü OakTara agreed to contract the Novel - 11 June 2008ü OakTara sent a contract - 20 July 2008ü Contract signed and returned - 22 July 2008ü Final signed contract copy returned from publisher - 1 August 2008, 19 Feb 10Cover - will move to the author page when I have an initial cover, this section and info will also move to the secrets page with a cover. Request from publisher for cover ideas - when I finish a novel, I develop a title (if I haven't already), produce the marketing information and synopsis (usually a 500 and 250 word synopsis), and work on a cover concept. I have one in mind for this novel, but it is a take off on the original cover for Aegypt.ü Sent cover ideas to Publisher - 16 October 2008 Publisher's recommended covers Final front cover development Development of cover back Final entire cover Cover spine sized for bookContentsü Manuscript sent to publisher - 3 June 2008, 10 January 2009, 8 October 2009 Proofs sent from publisher Proof corrections to publisher Final sent from publisher Final approved

Friday, October 28, 2011

Introduction: I realized that I need to introduce this blog a little. I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon. The working title was Daemon, and this was my 21st novel. Over the last year, I gave you the entire novel in installments that included commentary on the writing. In the commentary, in addition to other general information on writing, I explained, how the novel was constructed, the metaphors and symbols in it, the writing techniques and tricks I used, and the way I built the scenes. You can look back through this blog and read the entire novel.

I'm using this novel as an example of how I produce, market, and eventually (we hope) get a novel published. I'll keep you informed along the way. At this moment, I'm showing you the marketing material I put together for a novel.

Today's Blog: Once you sign a contract, you move from marketing your novel to publishers to the process of publishing a book. You still will be in the marketing business, but now you will be marketing your book to readers. Much of the information I gave you already puts you in the sweet zone for marketing a book. I'll give you details as we go along.

Now, you wait and wait and wait and wait some more. A novel commonly takes two years from contract to publication--sometimes longer. If you are a bestseller, your publisher might move your subsequent novels along more quickly. Still, there is a lot of waiting. Additionally, publishers are really busy--they won't have the time to answer your queries quickly or in much depth. You will get occasional contacts, and I'll give you an idea of when and what those contacts might be.

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Introduction: I realized that I need to introduce this blog a little. I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon. The working title was Daemon, and this was my 21st novel. Over the last year, I gave you the entire novel in installments that included commentary on the writing. In the commentary, in addition to other general information on writing, I explained, how the novel was constructed, the metaphors and symbols in it, the writing techniques and tricks I used, and the way I built the scenes. You can look back through this blog and read the entire novel.

I'm using this novel as an example of how I produce, market, and eventually (we hope) get a novel published. I'll keep you informed along the way. At this moment, I'm showing you the marketing material I put together for a novel.

Today's Blog: When your novel is accepted, you will receive an acceptance letter or email. That communication will outline the reasons the publisher likes your novel. From their letter, it will be obvious they have read and made notes on your book. The publisher will tell you all kinds of good things about your novel. First, because they want you to sign a contract with them--they like your novel. Second, because they really do like your novel, or they wouldn't have sent a letter. As I mentioned, the letter will usually include some suggestions for improvements to the novel, and instructions for the next step. I might have a contract already attached to it.

If you receive a contract, read it carefully. You might want to have your lawyer look at it. That contract will obligate you to whatever the publisher has stipulated--unless you negotiate a change. I already mentioned generally what you can expect from a publishing contract.

Now, if you accept the contract, sign it and mail it to the publisher. That's the beginning of the publishing process.
Tomorrow, what next?

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

26 October 2011, Marketing - AcceptanceIntroduction: I realized that I need to introduce this blog a little. I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon. The working title was Daemon, and this was my 21st novel. Over the last year, I gave you the entire novel in installments that included commentary on the writing. In the commentary, in addition to other general information on writing, I explained, how the novel was constructed, the metaphors and symbols in it, the writing techniques and tricks I used, and the way I built the scenes. You can look back through this blog and read the entire novel.

I'm using this novel as an example of how I produce, market, and eventually (we hope) get a novel published. I'll keep you informed along the way. At this moment, I'm showing you the marketing material I put together for a novel.

Today's Blog: If you finally do connect with a publisher, how do you know it's the real thing? I think you know what I mean. Even if you apply to a large publishing house, and they accept your work, you should expect something more than a letter and a check. That's right. What you will receive is an acceptance letter or email. You will be able to tell it is a "real" acceptance letter because the publisher will tell you why they like your work and usually, they will give you some things they suggest you amend. I won't use the "change" word because that is too strong. In general, the acceptance of your work is contingent on your book meeting the requirements of their press. That might be their editorial policies or their content policies. For example, my publisher, OakTara, will not publish obscene language. That's their policy. If you can't accept your publisher's editorial or content policies, you need to find another publisher.

A content policy is just like my example above, it is something simple in the content like the language or some other specific issue. On the other hand, an editorial policy is the overall focus of the publisher. For example, a publisher might be young adult only. If they like your novel, they might ask you to change the main character to a young adult. A publisher could be Kansas only and ask you to change the location of your story to Kansas. Usually, you won't get past step one and an acceptance letter if you aren't in the editorial policy sweet spot of the publisher, but sometimes these things happen.

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Introduction: I realized that I need to introduce this blog a little. I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon. The working title was Daemon, and this was my 21st novel. Over the last year, I gave you the entire novel in installments that included commentary on the writing. In the commentary, in addition to other general information on writing, I explained, how the novel was constructed, the metaphors and symbols in it, the writing techniques and tricks I used, and the way I built the scenes. You can look back through this blog and read the entire novel.

I'm using this novel as an example of how I produce, market, and eventually (we hope) get a novel published. I'll keep you informed along the way. At this moment, I'm showing you the marketing material I put together for a novel.

Today's Blog: Yesterday, I showed you the form my publisher wants for prospective novels. My publisher is OakTara www.OakTara.com. I already sent Aksinya to my publisher. I formatted the novel just as I showed you before. I produced the forms just like I showed you. I emailed the complete manuscript and the information form to my publisher. I haven't heard back, but that's okay. I have two other works on contract with them (Sister of Light www.SisterofLight.com and Sister of Darkness www.SisterofDarkness.com ) and I have another eight novels under consideration with them. They are up to their eyeballs in work, books, and reading my other novels. I'll keep you informed.

In spite of the fact I haven't heard anything back about Aksinya, I'll give you information about my next novel that should be coming out (anytime).
Tomorrow, acceptance and contracts.

Monday, October 24, 2011

Introduction: I realized that I need to introduce this blog a little. I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon. The working title was Daemon, and this was my 21st novel. Over the last year, I gave you the entire novel in installments that included commentary on the writing. In the commentary, in addition to other general information on writing, I explained, how the novel was constructed, the metaphors and symbols in it, the writing techniques and tricks I used, and the way I built the scenes. You can look back through this blog and read the entire novel.

I'm using this novel as an example of how I produce, market, and eventually (we hope) get a novel published. I'll keep you informed along the way. At this moment, I'm showing you the marketing material I put together for a novel.

Today's Blog: My publisher, OakTara www.OakTara.com, requires a specific contact form. Many publishers require something similar, and they might ask for more than one chapter of your novel. I already contacted my publisher about Aksinya. I'll get to that later. First, here is my publishers contact form (it's filled out for Aksinya:

Information needed for manuscripts submitted to OakTaraDate: 31 July 2011

* 200 words or less. Here’s your chance to “sell” a reader on the plot of your book!

In November 1918, the young sorceress Lady Aksinya Andreiovna Golitsyna called the demon Asmodeus to protect her noble family from the Bolsheviks, but she was too late.When Aksinya and Asmodeus arrived at the estate, her father and mother, brother and sister were already dead.Unfortunately, Aksinya conjured a demon, whose only purpose was to aid her in accomplishing evil.

With the demon at her side, the world for Aksinya becomes one of repeated temptation and fall.The demon tempts her to call a servant, the Lady Natalya.He tempts her to travel to Austria and to her relatives there.He tempts her to sorcery.He tempts her to take a lover.Each of the temptations drives her deeper and deeper into the depths of evil and despair.

Asmodeus plans a destruction that will result in the end of Aksinya’s friends, acquaintances, and relatives—a much greater end to everything in her life than she could ever imagine.

Aksinya wishes to be free from the demon, and she will give up almost everything to achieve that goal.Will she be able to gain her freedom, and will she be able to face the results of that freedom?

Author bio:

* 200 words or less. Please include any previous publishing experience (title and publisher); professional credits (degrees, schooling, etc.); any personal experience that relates to plot/characters of this book; and your reason for writing this book. In addition, please let us know if you're planning any sequels of other titles in a series.

The finest escape in literature is an escape into a real and inviting culture—so asserts L. D. Alford a novelist who explores with originality those cultures and societies we think we already know.He builds tales that uniquely explore the connections between events close and familiar and events of the past—he cleaves them together with threads of reality that bring the past alive.L. D. Alford is familiar with technology and cultures—he earned a B.S. in Chemistry from PacificLutheranUniversity, an M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from BostonUniversity, and a Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Dayton. He is a graduate of AirWarCollege, Air Command and StaffCollege, and the US Air Force Test Pilot School.He is widely traveled and has spent long periods in Europe and Central America.His writing includes over 40 technical articles, historical fiction novel The Second Mission published by Xulon, and historical fiction novels Centurion and Aegypt and science fiction novels, The End of Honor, The Fox’s Honor, and A Season of Honor published by Oaktara.L. D. Alford is an author who combines intimate scientific and cultural knowledge into fiction worlds that breathe reality.

That's it. I already gave you commentary on how to develop this information. I took the information I had on the "long form" and adapted it. This is why I told you that you should make a "long form" and a "short form" for each work. When a publisher asks you for information, you will have it right at your fingertips.

Sunday, October 23, 2011

Introduction: I realized that I need to introduce this blog a little. I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon. The working title was Daemon, and this was my 21st novel. Over the last year, I gave you the entire novel in installments that included commentary on the writing. In the commentary, in addition to other general information on writing, I explained, how the novel was constructed, the metaphors and symbols in it, the writing techniques and tricks I used, and the way I built the scenes. You can look back through this blog and read the entire novel.

I'm using this novel as an example of how I produce, market, and eventually (we hope) get a novel published. I'll keep you informed along the way. At this moment, I'm showing you the marketing material I put together for a novel.

Today's Blog: In the future, I might take the time to write about finding a publisher. I could give you my own story in great detail, but there are lots of sites with that information on them. I think much of it is sweat, opportunity, and finding a publisher who really likes your writing. Instead, I want to focus on what happens when you finally connect with a publisher.

The first point is all the marketing material I showed you how to write and put together. Your first contact with a publisher will usually be in their format or in the general format I provided you. I'll show you my publisher's format and explain an example from Aksinya. Since I sent my publisher this information, this is the real thing--a publisher contact.

Saturday, October 22, 2011

22 October 2011, Marketing - to Publishers Electronic Press Illustrations PedigreeIntroduction: I realized that I need to introduce this blog a little. I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon. The working title was Daemon, and this was my 21st novel. Over the last year, I gave you the entire novel in installments that included commentary on the writing. In the commentary, in addition to other general information on writing, I explained, how the novel was constructed, the metaphors and symbols in it, the writing techniques and tricks I used, and the way I built the scenes. You can look back through this blog and read the entire novel.

I'm using this novel as an example of how I produce, market, and eventually (we hope) get a novel published. I'll keep you informed along the way. At this moment, I'm showing you the marketing material I put together for a novel.

Today's Blog: Concerning illustrations and dingbats in published works. Just as you don't want someone to take credit for and make a profit on your writing, likewise, you shouldn't expect to make a profit or take credit for any type of picture or illustration that is not in the public domain. If you didn't take the picture or draw the illustration or dingbat, you can't use it without the permission of the owner. This is the point of copyright laws. You can be sued if you use works improperly and that includes pictures and illustrations.

If you own the work, it is in the public domain, or you receive permission to use it, then you are allowed to include it in your book--however, you must always attribute. No matter where the work came from, you should always give credit to the creator. This is the basic rule between artists and writers.

Copyright and ownership issues can be a big deal. Depending on your work, you should seek legal council if you think you might be touching a copyright issue. In publishing The Second Mission I had my lawyer look into the ownership of the translations I used, and I gave complete credit to those translations.

Friday, October 21, 2011

Introduction: I realized that I need to introduce this blog a little. I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon. The working title was Daemon, and this was my 21st novel. Over the last year, I gave you the entire novel in installments that included commentary on the writing. In the commentary, in addition to other general information on writing, I explained, how the novel was constructed, the metaphors and symbols in it, the writing techniques and tricks I used, and the way I built the scenes. You can look back through this blog and read the entire novel.

I'm using this novel as an example of how I produce, market, and eventually (we hope) get a novel published. I'll keep you informed along the way. At this moment, I'm showing you the marketing material I put together for a novel.

Today's Blog: If you include illustrations in your book, the most important thing is the quality of the illustrations. Many people fancy themselves artists. If you wouldn't put it up on a wall, you aren't an artist. Perhaps this message won't reach the self-deluded. If your enemy won't hang it on his wall, you aren't an artist. That might not be clear enough either. If someone would not pay you for your artwork--don't put it in your novel.

I'm not kidding when I tell you, I have seen more poor art in self-published books than on refrigerators. So, number one, ensure the quality of any art you put in your books. Use maps and charts and not your own illustrations--unless you are a professional artist.

More tomorrow about the pedigree of illustrations in published and electronically published books.

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Introduction: I realized that I need to introduce this blog a little. I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon. The working title was Daemon, and this was my 21st novel. Over the last year, I gave you the entire novel in installments that included commentary on the writing. In the commentary, in addition to other general information on writing, I explained, how the novel was constructed, the metaphors and symbols in it, the writing techniques and tricks I used, and the way I built the scenes. You can look back through this blog and read the entire novel.

I'm using this novel as an example of how I produce, market, and eventually (we hope) get a novel published. I'll keep you informed along the way. At this moment, I'm showing you the marketing material I put together for a novel.

Today's Blog: Illustrations in today's novels go right along side dingbats. The reason you can put any (black and white) dingbat you want into a published print novel is the same reason you can put almost any black and white illustration. I learned this little fact too late for my first published novel, but I took great advantage of it for my second and to the last. I wish I knew about this little trick before my first novel (Centurion) came out. I have outstanding maps and illustrations I could have included that would have really helped my readers. You can see them on the secret pages on the website addresses below. Because most of my novels are historical fiction, maps and pictures (illustrations) can really enhance the text.

In Aegypt, my publisher encouraged me to put in illustrations. I should have enhanced them, but at the time, I was in a hurry. Plus, the original idea was to put these like chapter decorations that changed subtly. My publisher wanted them bigger--which worked out well. I haven't heard any complaints. The point is that in novels, both print and electronic today, you can include maps, charts, illustrations and all. Just make sure they are black and white--at least for now.
More tomorrow about illustrations in published and electronically published books.

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

19 October 2011, Marketing - to Publishers Electronic Press DingbatsIntroduction: I realized that I need to introduce this blog a little. I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon. The working title was Daemon, and this was my 21st novel. Over the last year, I gave you the entire novel in installments that included commentary on the writing. In the commentary, in addition to other general information on writing, I explained, how the novel was constructed, the metaphors and symbols in it, the writing techniques and tricks I used, and the way I built the scenes. You can look back through this blog and read the entire novel.

I'm using this novel as an example of how I produce, market, and eventually (we hope) get a novel published. I'll keep you informed along the way. At this moment, I'm showing you the marketing material I put together for a novel.

Today's Blog: Let's talk about illustrations and dingbats. First, dingbats are not your mother-in-law but they are similar to the stuff you find in fonts called variously, dingbats, wingdings, etc. Not that long ago, a scene demarcation in a novel, was indicated by a double break. This is commonly used in manuscripts and can be found in some published works. In general, to save space and to make a stronger demarcation, publishers began using three asterisks to note a double break. Today, most publishers use a dingbat to denote a double break. What is a dingbat? If you look at my novels, you will see examples. My publisher is very up on these things, they provided specially designed and chosen dingbats for each of my novels. I proposed and provided the dingbats for my Chronicles of the Dragon and the Fox series--my daughter designed them (she is an excellent artist).

The main point here is that for double space breaks, you need a dingbat. The dingbat should be the same through a chapter or a novel--there is a lot of latitude here. I recommend only one per novel. The trick is that you can and should design your own. Illustrations are similar. By the way, if you don't know what a double space break is all about--keep reading this blog, I'll get to it.

What kind of dingbat will I want to use in Aksinya? That is a great question. Perhaps a scroll or a small demon. A pentegram might be the right touch. I want my daughter to make a series of about five to seven drawing for the novel. Perhaps she might draw a dingbat that really reflects the story.

More tomorrow about illustrations in published and electronically published books.

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Introduction: I realized that I need to introduce this blog a little. I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon. The working title was Daemon, and this was my 21st novel. Over the last year, I gave you the entire novel in installments that included commentary on the writing. In the commentary, in addition to other general information on writing, I explained, how the novel was constructed, the metaphors and symbols in it, the writing techniques and tricks I used, and the way I built the scenes. You can look back through this blog and read the entire novel.

I'm using this novel as an example of how I produce, market, and eventually (we hope) get a novel published. I'll keep you informed along the way. At this moment, I'm showing you the marketing material I put together for a novel.

Today's Blog: Okay, about formatting. A book is normally formatted like this:

1. Frontispiece: page with the title on it and that is all. Opposite of the frontispiece is blank.
2. Title page: page with the title, author, and publisher on it.
3. Opposite the title page is the copyright page.
4. Dedication page. Opposite the dedication page is blank.
5. Preface or prologue.
6. Opposite the prologue is blank (or the prologue/preface continues).
7. The first paginated page follows on the right side. This is the beginning of the novel.

This is general and you can have more pieces in the beginning--if you are wise, you won't have many more than this. You also need to look at a professionally published electronic book and see how the publisher did it. If you go to my sites, you can see how my publisher put together my novels. You need to make yours a similar quality.

Monday, October 17, 2011

Introduction: I realized that I need to introduce this blog a little. I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon. The working title was Daemon, and this was my 21st novel. Over the last year, I gave you the entire novel in installments that included commentary on the writing. In the commentary, in addition to other general information on writing, I explained, how the novel was constructed, the metaphors and symbols in it, the writing techniques and tricks I used, and the way I built the scenes. You can look back through this blog and read the entire novel.

I'm using this novel as an example of how I produce, market, and eventually (we hope) get a novel published. I'll keep you informed along the way. At this moment, I'm showing you the marketing material I put together for a novel.

Today's Blog: In the case of self published works, the rule about formatting a book changes. Usually, you never want to format a book prior to publication like a final book. For a work you self publish, you must make the work look as much as possible like the final book. You have to add in all the special pages, copyright page, introductions, lexicons, thanks, dedications, etc., etc. If you don't know what I'm talking about, look at an example of any modern published book. You want to design your own dingbats and put them in. If you don't know what a dingbat is or how it is used, keep reading this blog. I'll get to it eventually.

You can easily put in black and white pictures and potentially color pictures in electronic books. You need to be careful with that too. If you haven't noticed the many self published works filled with horrible amateur art work, you just aren't looking. I'll say it again, if you self publish, your book must look exactly like a finished professionally published work. I'll also repeat this warning--by self publishing, you may be crippling yourself as an author and a writer, but that's enough said on that subject.
More tomorrow about formatting electronically published books.

Sunday, October 16, 2011

Introduction: I realized that I need to introduce this blog a little. I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon. The working title was Daemon, and this was my 21st novel. Over the last year, I gave you the entire novel in installments that included commentary on the writing. In the commentary, in addition to other general information on writing, I explained, how the novel was constructed, the metaphors and symbols in it, the writing techniques and tricks I used, and the way I built the scenes. You can look back through this blog and read the entire novel.

I'm using this novel as an example of how I produce, market, and eventually (we hope) get a novel published. I'll keep you informed along the way. At this moment, I'm showing you the marketing material I put together for a novel.

Today's Blog: The point I am making about electronic books is that if you self publish (especailly if you do it on your own with a free service) you must do everything to make your books appear like a carefully designed and published work.

Take a look at electronically published books. Those that are published by a regular publishing house look like finished books. Their pages are crafted and designed and look professional. In the development of a book, the whole isn't just the editing, the writing, and etc. The whole of a professional book is the quality of the overall work. A professional publisher makes the work have this finished look. That is something you must strive for in your works. If you insist on self publishing electronically (or in any way), you need to be sensitive to this fact. You need to make your electronically published book look as much like a professionally published work as you can. This won't guarantee success, but it certainly can't hurt.

Saturday, October 15, 2011

Introduction: I realized that I need to introduce this blog a little. I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon. The working title was Daemon, and this was my 21st novel. Over the last year, I gave you the entire novel in installments that included commentary on the writing. In the commentary, in addition to other general information on writing, I explained, how the novel was constructed, the metaphors and symbols in it, the writing techniques and tricks I used, and the way I built the scenes. You can look back through this blog and read the entire novel.

I'm using this novel as an example of how I produce, market, and eventually (we hope) get a novel published. I'll keep you informed along the way. At this moment, I'm showing you the marketing material I put together for a novel.

Today's Blog: You don't want to be a has been before you have the chance to be a somebody. Remember, writing is a skill and for you to succeed and gain that skill takes time and effort. I want you to succeed. At the same time, if you produce a terrible book and self publish it, you only make it easier for the good writers to sell more of their works.

The overall problem is that bad self published works don't just have the unfortunate effect of negatively affecting individual authors--it also can negatively affect the entire self publishing realm. The problem with self published works is that there are many that are not worth reading (for the reasons I gave before). If the perception of the public is negative about these works, the overall chance of self published works being purchased becomes less. Therefore, if you are self published either electronically or in print, you need to make certain, you have followed the preconditions and you need to make certain your books look like regular published novels. The pricing us usually the indicator. With a regular publishing, the publisher controls the price of your novel. They negotiate the prices with the large sellers and discounters. If you price your novel outside of the common price, you indicate the fact that your book is self published. I recommend that you don't play around with your price too much. Leave it at the regular published price point and use other marketing methods.
More tomorrow about electronically published books.

Friday, October 14, 2011

Introduction: I realized that I need to introduce this blog a little. I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon. The working title was Daemon, and this was my 21st novel. Over the last year, I gave you the entire novel in installments that included commentary on the writing. In the commentary, in addition to other general information on writing, I explained, how the novel was constructed, the metaphors and symbols in it, the writing techniques and tricks I used, and the way I built the scenes. You can look back through this blog and read the entire novel.

I'm using this novel as an example of how I produce, market, and eventually (we hope) get a novel published. I'll keep you informed along the way. At this moment, I'm showing you the marketing material I put together for a novel.

Today's Blog: Electronically published novels are the same problems with subsidy press on steroids. Let's talk about electronically published books a little. In today's publishing market, if you are published in print, it is likely that you will also be published electronically. Most publishers will not miss the opportunity to put your work into an electronic format because they make much more profit from an electronic book. Additionally, the transition from print book to electronic book is easy.

The way books are edited and printed today is completely electronically. You send your manuscript to a publisher as a computer file. Your publisher edits that file and usually sends you a pdf. You send your edits back to the publisher electronically etc. The final markup will be a computer file which is used to print the book run or POD. That same file is formatted into the proper electronic file for electronic publication. It's really easy to do.

Part of the problem with electronic publishing is that it is so easy and inexpensive to do. It can be free. What we are seeing today is the abortion of potentially great writers and potentially great books because they are set free into the vast electronic publication black hole.

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Introduction: I realized that I need to introduce this blog a little. I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon. The working title was Daemon, and this was my 21st novel. Over the last year, I gave you the entire novel in installments that included commentary on the writing. In the commentary, in addition to other general information on writing, I explained, how the novel was constructed, the metaphors and symbols in it, the writing techniques and tricks I used, and the way I built the scenes. You can look back through this blog and read the entire novel.

I'm using this novel as an example of how I produce, market, and eventually (we hope) get a novel published. I'll keep you informed along the way. At this moment, I'm showing you the marketing material I put together for a novel.

Today's Blog: So, what could be the problem if you publish your own books. I gave you the four preconditions yesterday. I haven't told you the reasons why you could hurt yourself as an author.

The most important reason is you could ruin your career as a writer. I wrote yesterday that the most important precondition before you self publish a book is that you have written at least one million words of creative fiction. If you don't have this degree of experience, you run a very great risk of self publishing a novel that only reveals your flaws and none of your skills.

When people tell me they have written a book and they are looking for a publisher, I tell them to keep writing. The reason is that almost no one (I'd like to say no one ever, but I'm sure there might be a single person in the world who can write like Shakespeare from youth) can sit down and write an well written entertaining novel the first, second, third, fourth... time. It takes one million words. In the past, most people couldn't afford to self publish. Those who could might publish their novel at a high cost, find out they weren't a very good writer after all (or not) and return to oblivion. Today, self publication is cheap enough that almost anyone can do it. The problem is that too many do publish unready and immature works.

You can really hurt your prospects as an author if you don't continue to get your writing into the hands of publishers and continue writing. In the past, the natural difficulty of publishing (as well as the stigma of self publishing) prevented immature and unready works from being published. Today, an author can embarrass himself over and over by publishing those works. The worse problem is that many times those unready works might be redeemable with experience and time.

My own experience is that after one of my later works was published, after I edited my earlier works, my publisher wanted to publish them too. If I had self published those novels, they likely would not have been published by a regular publisher. There is your proof, if you need it. I have three early novels that wouldn't have been published by a regular publisher if I had self published them. Further, if I had relied on self publishing, I might never have had a novel published by a regular publisher because I wouldn't have continued to seek a publisher.

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Introduction: I realized that I need to introduce this blog a little. I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon. The working title was Daemon, and this was my 21st novel. Over the last year, I gave you the entire novel in installments that included commentary on the writing. In the commentary, in addition to other general information on writing, I explained, how the novel was constructed, the metaphors and symbols in it, the writing techniques and tricks I used, and the way I built the scenes. You can look back through this blog and read the entire novel.

I'm using this novel as an example of how I produce, market, and eventually (we hope) get a novel published. I'll keep you informed along the way. At this moment, I'm showing you the marketing material I put together for a novel.

Today's Blog: It might look very inviting to think that all you have to do is pay out a little money (or with some electronic press, no money at all) and have your book published. It is a great thing and for some authors, if you can't snag a publisher for your works, I suggest you do just that. There are certain preconditions.

1. If you haven't written at least one million words of fiction text, don't even think about it. About one million is the number of words that indicate some degree of skill as a writer. One million words is about eight to ten novels. I will give you credit for editing, but if you haven't written about eight novel length works, you really don't have the experience to self publish.

2. Hire an editor. If you are disappointed with finding spelling, grammatical, punctuation, time, sense, verb agreement, awkward writing in published novels, how disappointing will it be for your readers to find these errors in your writing. Editing is a full time job, and I can assure you, no matter how good an editor you think you are, you will have errors of one kind or another. Do yourself a favor and hire a professional editor to go over your novel. Two times is a good idea--if you can afford it.

3. Choose a novel that has little commercial appeal, but that is still fun and interesting to read. That is, you want a work that is a good read, a good example of your writing, but that later you won't kick yourself that it was self published.

4. Make sure you have good prepublication readers. And try to get readers who will tell you the truth about your works. That's really hard.
More tomorrow about electronically and subsidy published books.

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Introduction: I realized that I need to introduce this blog a little. I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon. The working title was Daemon, and this was my 21st novel. Over the last year, I gave you the entire novel in installments that included commentary on the writing. In the commentary, in addition to other general information on writing, I explained, how the novel was constructed, the metaphors and symbols in it, the writing techniques and tricks I used, and the way I built the scenes. You can look back through this blog and read the entire novel.

I'm using this novel as an example of how I produce, market, and eventually (we hope) get a novel published. I'll keep you informed along the way. At this moment, I'm showing you the marketing material I put together for a novel.

Today's Blog: A subsidy press is basically self-publishing. This is the source of all the indie (independent authors). These press used to be called a vanity press, but that name has become politically incorrect. Whenever you accept all the risk for publication, you are using a vanity press. I'll go ahead and call it a subsidy press. That is the basic point about this type of press--you are accepting all the risk. The press charges you a fee to publish your novel. They offer many services from editing to marketing to training in how to sell your book because they have no risk. Usually, you pay from $1000 to $2000 to have your book published. You may or may not get copy for that price. Many of the modern presses will also electronically release your book.

Everything else is up to you. No matter what you pay for, the marketing, sales, press releases, editing, novel quality are up to you. You will pay more for anything extra.

Now, a subsidy press isn't all bad. If you are an aspiring author and you have written at least 1M words, I suggest you get at least one of your least marketable (but well written books) published this way. The reason is that this will give you the experience of publishing and give you a book to put on your publishing resume'. If you go this way--have the novel edited professionally, and make sure you have at least a few prepublication readers.
The obvious problem with a subsidy press is that there is very little quality control or selection of the manuscripts that are published. Since it is fee for service, the author takes all the risk. There are diamonds in indie novels, but there are many books that should never have been published. In fact, too much of a good thing can harm an aspiring writer.

Monday, October 10, 2011

Introduction: I realized that I need to introduce this blog a little. I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon. The working title was Daemon, and this was my 21st novel. Over the last year, I gave you the entire novel in installments that included commentary on the writing. In the commentary, in addition to other general information on writing, I explained, how the novel was constructed, the metaphors and symbols in it, the writing techniques and tricks I used, and the way I built the scenes. You can look back through this blog and read the entire novel.

I'm using this novel as an example of how I produce, market, and eventually (we hope) get a novel published. I'll keep you informed along the way. At this moment, I'm showing you the marketing material I put together for a novel.

Today's Blog: The other two types of publishers are partner press and subsidy press. The difference is the risk. In a partner press, the publisher takes some of the risk, and you take some of the risk. They usually require you to purchase x number of books (usually 50 to 100). They pay a royalty similar to POD press. They use POD to publisher their books (who doesn't anymore). So, with a partner press, your novel goes through a normal publishing selection and process. The publisher usually edits your novel (they have some risk). You have to put some money up to purchase books. All in all, a partner press is a great deal for a new author. Usually, the partner press will market your book and get it on to the bookseller websites. They will take care of you to a degree (they have some risk after all).

The negatives of a partner press is that you also have to assume some of the risk (you have to put money out to buy books). You also have to go through a selection process (I think this is a great thing).
I'll write about the last type of publisher tomorrow.

Sunday, October 9, 2011

Introduction: I realized that I need to introduce this blog a little. I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon. The working title was Daemon, and this was my 21st novel. Over the last year, I gave you the entire novel in installments that included commentary on the writing. In the commentary, in addition to other general information on writing, I explained, how the novel was constructed, the metaphors and symbols in it, the writing techniques and tricks I used, and the way I built the scenes. You can look back through this blog and read the entire novel.

I'm using this novel as an example of how I produce, market, and eventually (we hope) get a novel published. I'll keep you informed along the way. At this moment, I'm showing you the marketing material I put together for a novel.

Today's Blog: I wrote about the types of contracts you can expect from a classical publisher. Contracts from POD and electronic publishers are usually a little different. First, don't expect any money up front. In most cases, you will not get an advance. However, you can expect royalties in the 15 to 20 percent range. That is always 15 to 20 percent of profit on the book.

Usually, your agreement will be for one to two years, and you will retain the copyright. The publisher will take care of editing, cover design, marketing, etc. You will not have to pay anything, however, if you want copies of the book you will have to buy them yourself. You usually can purchase copies of your book at a 40 percent discount.

Concerning electronic publishers, the information above likely applies to their contracts. You can usually expect a royalty of about 20 percent, but that may become lower as time passes.

Saturday, October 8, 2011

Introduction: I realized that I need to introduce this blog a little. I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon. The working title was Daemon, and this was my 21st novel. Over the last year, I gave you the entire novel in installments that included commentary on the writing. In the commentary, in addition to other general information on writing, I explained, how the novel was constructed, the metaphors and symbols in it, the writing techniques and tricks I used, and the way I built the scenes. You can look back through this blog and read the entire novel.

I'm using this novel as an example of how I produce, market, and eventually (we hope) get a novel published. I'll keep you informed along the way. At this moment, I'm showing you the marketing material I put together for a novel.

Today's Blog: Back on subject. I already wrote about classical publishers, and I mentioned POD. I'm going to revise my list from four to five, because although I don't think there is any number threes around yet--I'm certain they will be here soon. The first is the classical publisher. The second it the POD publisher. Note, that the classical publishers are branching out into POD, and some POD are making long book runs (when it suits them). The third are electronic publishers. Both classical and POD publishers are publishing electronic books. These are the three normal groups we call professional publishers. That is, they accept all the risk when publishing an author's books. None of this group will ask you for money.

These three types of publishers evaluate your novel for marketability and quality. If they give you a contract, you can expect to work hard to get your book published, but as I wrote, they take all the production, marketing, and sales risk. As an author, you have an obligation to fulfill your contract requirements and a professional obligation, to do your best to support the sales of your works.

I'll write about the types of contracts you can expect from the POD and the electronic publishers tomorrow.

Friday, October 7, 2011

7 October 2011, Marketing - to Publishers even more Electronic book Sales

Introduction: I realized that I need to introduce this blog a little. I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon. The working title was Daemon, and this was my 21st novel. Over the last year, I gave you the entire novel in installments that included commentary on the writing. In the commentary, in addition to other general information on writing, I explained, how the novel was constructed, the metaphors and symbols in it, the writing techniques and tricks I used, and the way I built the scenes. You can look back through this blog and read the entire novel.

I'm using this novel as an example of how I produce, market, and eventually (we hope) get a novel published. I'll keep you informed along the way. At this moment, I'm showing you the marketing material I put together for a novel.

Today's Blog: The rise of electronic books has resulted in literally free publication. Numerous Internet companies will allow you to upload and sell your book without any professional editing or publisher. Many of these companies make their profits from providing services such as editing, marketing, formatting, etc. for indie authors. Many take advantage of the free publishing without taking advantage of the services that are usually necessary for the publication of a worthwhile novel.

That is not to say, you can't find a diamond in the rough, but there are a lot of lumps of coal out there and few diamonds. The main reason is that many novels are getting published without the benefit of professional or sometimes any independent editing, prepublication readers, or prepublication marketplace competition. That doesn't mean these works can't be good, but the potential for reaching any level of adequacy is low. If you recognize that it usually takes an author one million words to reach any level of competence, the first efforts of an indie can cause more harm to the new author than you might imagine.

Thursday, October 6, 2011

Introduction: I realized that I need to introduce this blog a little. I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon. The working title was Daemon, and this was my 21st novel. Over the last year, I gave you the entire novel in installments that included commentary on the writing. In the commentary, in addition to other general information on writing, I explained, how the novel was constructed, the metaphors and symbols in it, the writing techniques and tricks I used, and the way I built the scenes. You can look back through this blog and read the entire novel.

I'm using this novel as an example of how I produce, market, and eventually (we hope) get a novel published. I'll keep you informed along the way. At this moment, I'm showing you the marketing material I put together for a novel.

Today's Blog: Electronic books will eventually take over all forms of publishing. The big publishing houses are just dabbling in it, but they will move in that direction--or they will fail. We will see some publishing of print books for a while. I wouldn't count them out, but they are down for the count. Soon, all forms of publishing will move to electronic--it will be just like the way music and songs have gone.
That said, there are some significant problems with electronic books that will be worked out over time. The main point is although we might see the development of physical electronic bookstores, most sales will be through the Internet. This creates a problem right away. Everyone wants to be a writer. That is an exaggeration, but already we are seeing the rise of the indie. This is a great interjection into the book marketplace, but it is also a terrible interjection into the book marketplace. We are seeing the rise of industries to help with this growing process--that is the rise of groups and people who review indie and nonindie books to willow out the chaff. This system isn't very strong or in place firmly yet, but when it is the system will ensure the public knows which novels are worth putting down hard dollars for and which they should not.

Right now, there is a lot of chaff and few systems other than the publishers to separate the good from the bad. That doesn't mean many of the indie works are not good, it just means there isn't much to help the public find the great and reject the not good.

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Introduction: I realized that I need to introduce this blog a little. I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon. The working title was Daemon, and this was my 21st novel. Over the last year, I gave you the entire novel in installments that included commentary on the writing. In the commentary, in addition to other general information on writing, I explained, how the novel was constructed, the metaphors and symbols in it, the writing techniques and tricks I used, and the way I built the scenes. You can look back through this blog and read the entire novel.

I'm using this novel as an example of how I produce, market, and eventually (we hope) get a novel published. I'll keep you informed along the way. At this moment, I'm showing you the marketing material I put together for a novel.

Today's Blog: I think you can see how publishing and marketing is tightly interwoven. The best and most lucrative method of publishing for most authors is classical publishing through the large house publishers. Publish on Demand (POD) is the method of publishing books that almost every press is moving towards (if they aren't there already). POD is also a great method to get books out on the Internet market. POD isn't necessarily a means to get your books into non-Internet bookstores.

Beyond POD are electronic books. I will make the claim again to inventing the concept of the electronic book. I actually called it an ebook when I proposed it to a company in 1984. I had written about the idea of an ebook in 1974 within my novel A Season of Honor. You can read all about the original idea there. I presented it to a company in 1984 and they thought it was a great idea, but ahead of its time in terms of technology. So it goes.

Electronic books are a reality today and their sales are beginning to overcome the sales of print books. All of my books except one are published as electronic books. They are available in every format of electronic book. There are great benefits to electronic books there are also some negatives. Overall, the benefits are the potential profits to both the publishers and the authors. The negatives are that the costs are driving the price of ebooks very low which decreases the profits for everyone. The positives are that there is almost no cost to an ebook in physical material. There is intellectual and service labor that is just as high as a printed book.

I don't know of any publishers that are focusing only on electronic books, but I'm certain there will be in the future.
My presence in the electronic book marketplace is strong too. I'll write more about electronic books tomorrow.

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Introduction: I realized that I need to introduce this blog a little. I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon. The working title was Daemon, and this was my 21st novel. Over the last year, I gave you the entire novel in installments that included commentary on the writing. In the commentary, in addition to other general information on writing, I explained, how the novel was constructed, the metaphors and symbols in it, the writing techniques and tricks I used, and the way I built the scenes. You can look back through this blog and read the entire novel.

I'm using this novel as an example of how I produce, market, and eventually (we hope) get a novel published. I'll keep you informed along the way. At this moment, I'm showing you the marketing material I put together for a novel.

Today's Blog: We've covered classical publishing runs, discount book sales, bookstore book sales plus a few other topics. You might be asking how you can get your books sold if you can't get them into the bookstores. The answer is Internet and electronic book sales.

Let's talk about the other types of publishing today. Classical publishing runs are going by the wayside in favor of Publishing on Demand (POD). I'm not really certain that any book companies are really publishing in publishing runs any longer (even if they say they do). Once a book is set up in POD format, you can print it on demand in as many copies as you want, and the process is all automated. Human hands don't need to touch the books. POD is cheap, easy, and very smart. POD has given rise to and caused many regular publishers to move to be POD publishers in word and deed. A POD publisher usually has limited access to bookstore sales, but that may not necessarily be completely the case. The cost advantage in POD comes from printing only the number of books you need to sell right now, so it doesn't make sense to print up a whole print run to stock in a bookstore where there is a great chance the book might come back to you for cash or credit. Instead, POD publishers make most of their money on Internet or direct sales. Once you've made the sale, you just have to print the book and ship it.

A large number of the books purchased through the Internet are POD books. Now, let's talk about POD publishers. Many new POD publishers have sprung up in the current market. They are usually smaller businesses than the classical publishers and they usually specialize more. For example, in inspirational, Christian, eroica, homosexual, specialty romance, Christian romance, etc. The opportunities in POD publishers is to make the regular print market open to more specialized works and to more good writers.

I'll posit my novels as an example. They are all mixed genre and very difficult to place in any specific genre. The regular publishing houses were direct in pointing this out to me. I found a publisher who was looking specifically for my style of writing and type of novel. The advent of POD and specialty publishing made it possible for my works to be published.

I have a very strong presence in Internet sales at almost every Internet bookseller on the web.
You likely also realise there are opportunities to sell electronic books. I'll write about that tomorrow.

About Me

L. D. Alford is a novelist whose writing explores with originality those cultures and societies we think we already know. His writing distinctively develops the connections between present events and history—he combines them with threads of reality that bring the past alive. L. D. Alford is familiar with technology and cultures—he is widely traveled and earned a B.S. in Chemistry from Pacific Lutheran University, an M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Boston University, a Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering from The University of Dayton, and is a graduate of Air War College, Air Command and Staff College, and the USAF Test Pilot School. L. D. Alford is an author who combines intimate scientific and cultural knowledge into fiction worlds that breathe reality. He is the author of three historical fiction novels: Centurion, Aegypt, and The Second Mission, and three science fiction novels: The End of Honor, The Fox’s Honor, and A Season of Honor.